Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma on Tuesday urged Indonesia's leader to improve the country's investment climate, Japanese government officials said.
Shiokawa and Hiranuma made the call in separate meetings with visiting Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri at the State Guesthouse.
Shiokawa told Megawati he hopes Indonesia will create an environment for stable investment, including the establishment of necessary legal arrangements, according to a Finance Ministry official.
Hiranuma welcomed Indonesia's efforts in the area, including its naming of 2003 as the year of investment, and promised Japan's cooperation in the field, said an official of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry who briefed reporters.
Megawati told the two ministers she will promote overall reforms in a way that will contribute to the country's political, economic and social stability, according to the two officials.
The ministers replied that reforms and political stability will also contribute to bolstering foreign direct investment in the country.
"I hope to cooperate with Finance Minister Shiokawa to further develop economic relations between Japan and Indonesia," Hiranuma was quoted as saying.
Megawati also met with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi Tuesday evening. The two were expected to agree on the establishment of a study panel with the aim of concluding a bilateral free-trade agreement.
Megawati arrived Sunday in Tokyo for a four-day visit as a state guest.